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20 Cheapest Cars To Drive, According to New Research

These 20 vehicles are some of the most affordable on the market.

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Updated June 2, 2025
Fact checked

We all know prices are soaring these days, even on vehicles. This means car shoppers should consider which cars are cheapest to drive if they want to hold onto more of their cash — just like they would compare auto insurance rates to save money on car insurance.

Fortunately for consumers, iSeeCars has released a new study where they determined the cheapest cars to drive by ranking vehicles based on how much they cost per 1,000 miles driven. According to their results, these 20 cars take the cake based on average annual miles and new car price.

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20. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Courtesy of Mitsubishi a blue mitsubishi eclipse cross

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $2,042

With an average new price of $29,514, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has a budget-friendly price per 1,000 miles driven, thanks to its annual mileage of 14,453.

Reviewers have praised the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross for having an intuitive infotainment system and plenty of standard features, as well as offering a fun driving experience in the city.

19. Toyota Camry

Courtesy of Toyota a silver toyota camry

Price per 1000 miles driven: $1,936

A new Toyota Camry costs $31,053 on average. When compared with its average yearly mileage of 16,042 miles, it gets a frugal price per 1,000 miles driven.

The Toyota Camry has garnered praise from reviewers for its top-notch fuel economy, ample cargo space, and comfortable seating.

18. Volkswagen Passat

Courtesy of Volkswagen blue volkswagen passat

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,927

With an average of 15,584 miles driven each year, the Volkswagen Passat achieves a very economical price per 1,000 miles driven, thanks to its average new price of $30,030.

Reviewers have noted that this sedan has a comfortable ride quality and a backseat and trunk with plenty of room, which is a plus for many drivers.

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17. Honda Insight

Courtesy of Honda a black honda insight

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,920

The Honda Insight comes with an average new price of $27,841, and an average yearly miles driven of 14,501.

This hybrid vehicle is known for its fuel efficiency, spacious and upscale interior, and its snappy acceleration.

16. Chrysler Voyager

Courtesy of Chrysler chrysler voyager

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,867

RepairPal has rated the Chrysler Voyager as having excellent reliability among minivans, and you'll get plenty out of your money if you purchase one, too.

The Chrysler Voyager has an average new price of $37,248. When taken against its average of 19,948 miles driven per year, this vehicle yields a price per 1,000 miles driven that is 0.52 times as much as the average car in this study, which is highly economical.

15. Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Courtesy of Toyota toyota corolla hybrid

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,852

The Toyota Corolla Hybrid will travel an average of 14,062 miles per year, which, when compared to its average new price of $26,048, gives it a very reasonable price per 1,000 miles driven.

Reviewers have praised this hybrid's outstanding fuel economy, advanced safety features, and premium interior.

14. Kia Forte

Courtesy of Kia kia forte on a sunset

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,827

The Kia Forte has an average new price of $22,823. When divided by the 12,494 miles this vehicle drives per year on average, its price per 1,000 miles comes out to just above $1,800.

This small sedan has garnered praise from reviewers for offering excellent value for its price.

13. Kia Rio 5-Door

Courtesy of Kia a red kia rio

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,811

Reviewers call out the Kia Rio 5-door for its stellar warranty coverage, outstanding gas mileage, and overall build quality for its price range.

When its average new price of $19,418 is divided by the 10,725 miles that the vehicle gets driven annually, its average price per 1,000 miles driven per year is 0.50 times as much as the average car's in this study.

12. Nissan Altima

Courtesy of Nissan a white nissan altima

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,784

The Nissan Altima has an average new price of $28,806, which, when divided by its average yearly mileage of 16,147, yields an economical price of $1,784 per 1,000 miles driven.

The Nissan Altima is also praised for having excellent driver assistance aids and solid fuel economy ratings.

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11. Nissan Kicks

Courtesy of Nissan nissan kicks on the road

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,772

With an average of 13,365 miles driven per year, divided by its average new price of $23,681, the Nissan Kicks offers a remarkable price per 1,000 miles driven.

This SUV has garnered praise from reviewers for its intuitive control setup, overall affordability, impressive driver assistance tech, and top-notch fuel economy.

10. Nissan Sentra

Courtesy of Nissan a red nissan sentra

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,695

Drivers looking for a stylish sedan that's packed with features and offers a comfortable ride should consider a Nissan Sentra.

The vehicle has an average price of $23,045, which, when divided by the average annual mileage of 13,592 miles, explains its frugal price per 1,000 miles driven, which is just under $1,700.

9. Hyundai Accent

Courtesy of Hyundai a blue hyundai accent

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,559

The Hyundai Accent is driven an average of 12,006 miles each year. When compared to its average new price of $18,720, this vehicle yields a price per 1,000 miles driven that comes in under $1,600.

8. Chevrolet Malibu

Courtesy of Chevrolet chevrolet malibu

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,526

Reviewers have praised this sedan's touchscreen interface, along with its roomy interior.

The Chevrolet Malibu has an average new price of $28,637, and it's driven an average of 18,726 miles per year. As a result, this vehicle has a very budget-friendly price per 1,000 miles.

7. Toyota Corolla

Courtesy of Toyota toyota corolla on the run

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,525

With an average of 15,310 miles driven per year, divided by its average new price of $23,349, the Toyota Corolla has a price per 1,000 miles driven average that is well suited for car shoppers on a budget.

Reviewers note that this small sedan offers premium ride quality and exceptional fuel economy, which is an important financial factor to consider when car shopping.

6. Kia Soul

Courtesy of Kia a black kia soul

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,424

With its average new price of $22,197 divided by the average of 15,590 miles it travels annually, the Kia Soul has an average price per 1,000 miles driven that is 0.40 times as much as the average vehicle's on this list.

5. Mitsubishi Mirage G4

Courtesy of Mitsubishi a red mitsubishi mirage

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,408

The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 has an average new price of $19,355. When that figure is divided by this small sedan's average yearly mileage of 13,744, the result is a wallet-friendly average price per 1,000 miles driven.

4. Nissan Versa

Courtesy of Nissan nissan versa

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,384

Reviewers have praised this small sedan for having excellent fuel economy and an easy-to-use infotainment system.

The Nissan Versa gets driven an average of 13,904 miles each year. When compared to its average new price of $19,250, the price per 1,000 miles driven comes out to $1,384.

3. Chevrolet Spark

Konstantinos Moraiti/Adobe side view of Chevrolet Spark car

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,345

The Chevrolet Spark has an average new price of $16,982. Dividing that figure by the 12,624 miles that it travels on average each year yields an impressive price per 1,000 miles driven. In fact, it is 0.37 times as much as the average car in this study.

Reviewers specifically note the Spark's affordability, technology, and impressive fuel economy.

2. Kia Rio

Courtesy of Kia blue kia rio

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,326

If you live in a city, consider a Kia Rio. Reviewers have praised the car for being especially suitable for a city commute.

The Kia Rio offers a very affordable price per 1,000 miles driven, thanks to its average new price of $18,553 and an average annual mileage of 13,988 miles.

1. Mitsubishi Mirage

Courtesy of Mitsubishi a silver mistubishi mirage

Price per 1,000 miles driven: $1,119

Which vehicle has iSeeCars deemed the cheapest to drive? The Mitsubishi Mirage has a budget-friendly price per 1,000 miles driven average that is .31 times as much as the average vehicle in this study. This is thanks to its average new price of $18,281 and its average annual mileage of 16,342 miles.

What makes it special? Reviewers have lauded this vehicle for its affordability and impressive fuel economy.

Bottom line

Drazen/Adobe multiracial couple looking at new car

The overall average price of a vehicle evaluated in the study is $44,223, and is driven an average of 12,307 miles per year, meaning it has an average price per 1,000 miles driven of $3,593. At that price, each car on this list is a financially savvy option for car shoppers.

And with new vehicle costs reaching record highs, drivers looking to make smart money moves should consider purchasing vehicles with low average costs per mile. This can help ensure you're getting the most out of what you paid for.

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